VPRS 6757 Index Books to Ward Register

This series consists of Index Books to State Ward Registers managed by the Department of Industrial and Reformatory Schools (VA 1466) from 1864-1887, Children's Welfare Department (VA 1467) from 1887-1960), then the Social Welfare Branch, Chief Secretary's Department (VA 2784) from 1960-1966.The Index Books control VPRS 4527 Ward Registers.The Ward Registers record the personal details of the children and details about their admission to care, placements and discharge.Prior to the establishment of the Department of Industrial and reformatory Schools in 1864, "neglected children were cared for by charitable and voluntary organizations. Children charged under the Vagrancy Act had been accommodated at the Immigrants home in Melbourne.Under the Neglected and Criminal Children's Act 1864, a Department was established to care for deprived and delinquent children. Children were made Wards of State by the Courts and then their future was a matter for the Department.Some children were accommodated in Industrial Schools and after the Royal Commission of 1872 and the 1874 Neglected and Criminal Children's Amendment Act, some were "boarded out". Allowances were paid to families to provide for the children.